A workshop was held for healthcare professionals in Odessa, focusing on alternative and augmentative communication methods with patients.
The event was organized with support from the Department of Health of the Odessa City Council and the Odessa Regional Early Intervention Methodological Center.
Specialists from physical rehabilitation, palliative care, family medicine, pediatrics, neurology, psychology, speech therapy, and nursing participated in the training.
Alternative and augmentative communication methods provide crucial interaction opportunities for individuals with complex communication needs, particularly those who cannot speak or struggle with understanding spoken language.
These tools are especially useful for individuals temporarily unable to communicate due to injuries or surgeries, as well as those who have lost their usual communication abilities due to strokes or other illnesses. They are also vital assistive technologies for people with disabilities, autism, hearing loss, developmental disorders, and neurological conditions.
Communication support includes gestures, sign language, drawings, photos, pictograms, various devices, mobile applications, and speech synthesizers.
Mastering alternative and augmentative communication techniques significantly aids professionals delivering medical services or caring for patients.
In a broader sense, these communication methods provide opportunities for social integration and uphold individuals' rights to access medical care, information, and public life.
Last week, a similar workshop was conducted for social workers, cultural institution staff, educators, and psychologists. This training is part of the implementation of the City Target Program «Barrier-Free Odessa».
Barrier-free accessibility is not only about architectural features, ramps, and elevators. It also encompasses the accessibility of services for the population, ensuring everyone can obtain necessary services, including medical assistance, without obstacles.
The Odessa city authorities are systematically working towards building a barrier-free environment to fulfill the National Strategy for creating a barrier-free space in Ukraine by 2030.
BARRIER-FREE ODESSA
